Right now there are 400,000 bots creating around 20% of all Internet chatter. How are we meant to determine the authority of the online content we read if there are now robots and non-humans generating such a large percent of it? In Episode 8, Howard Rheingold—critic, writer, teacher, and one of the earliest pioneers of the Internet—and Tom Serres discuss Fake News and the Real Politics of Technology.


Howard has always been ten-years ahead of everyone else, and was writing about social media way back in the 90s. He has written various books on the cultural, social, and political implications of modern communication media, cementing his status as a leading thinker in social media. In this episode we look at the issues of fake news and Internet literacy. 


There are various things that have an effect on the way we experience tech, from the type of political environment we are into our own individual knowledge of certain technology. So the best way we can currently improve our use of tech and the Internet is to ensure we have the best fact-checking tools and sites at our disposal. But then, who’s fact-checking the fact-checking sites?


Howard also discusses the need to control our own attention. As the web was created by people, the way we think of it affects how it evolves. If we only use the web as an echo chamber, we only reinforce our own opinions, which makes it incredibly difficult for people to look beyond what they believe. For the Internet to continue being valuable, we need to figure out how to give people the tools and desire to fact-check.

Episode 8: Howard Rheingold and Tom Serres Discuss Fake News and The Real Politics of Technology

It’s become something of a mantra for the Tech On Politics team, but there is no doubt we’re living in interesting political times. Last year, Brits voted to leave the EU, populist movements and candidates were on the rise, and US President Trump continues to whip the news media into a daily frenzy. So what does this mean for our current political systems and what role is technology playing in the democratic protest?

In the final episode of season 1, Tech On Politics sit down with Steve Hilton. A former strategist and senior advisor to UK’s former Prime Minister David Cameron, Hilton now bases himself in America where he’s worked as an Stanford professor, authored the book ‘More Human: Designing a World Where People Come First’, and founded CrowdPac, a platform which makes it easy to crowdfund and run for public office.

Tom and Steve talk political campaigning, why Steve firmly believes that Brexit has been a long time coming, how it was a win for democracy and just how much of that is rooted not just in technological advancements but in an underlying apathy for the current political party system and voting processes. Via Crowdpac, Steve believes in democratizing the political process and putting the power directly in the people’s hands. Can populism be spun positively via technological transparency? Join us for an action packed finale of the first season of Tech on Politics.

Episode 10: Steve Hilton Talks Populism and the future of Democracy With Tom Serres

Now, with almost 300,000 people who have listened to the show. 

Tech on Politics is produced by Animal Ventures, an agency of innovation that partners other animals to create, implement, and invest in some of the most exciting and emergent technologies. We educate the worlds leading executives and together we rapidly protype, build, and design new ideas.

It's time for a new political discourse and a more robust conversation around political and governmental innovation. Join host Tom Serres as he talks with some of the world's top technologists, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and political elite -- bringing new voices to the ongoing debate and expanding the discourse beyond the headlines.

Enjoy Season 1 interviews with: Eric Ries, Author of the Lean Startup, Michael Fertik, Founder of Reputation.com, Jutta Steiner, Founder of Parity, Don Tapscott, Author of The Blockchain Revolution and Wikinomics, Andrew Bleeker, Head of Digital for Clinton 2016 & Obama 2008/12, Matt Mahan, Founder of Brigade Media, Pia Mancini, Founder of Democracy OS, Howard Rheingold, Author of SmartMobs, and Steve Hilton, Founder of Crowdpac

Season 2 is coming Fall 2017...

Episode 8: Howard Rheingold and Tom Serres Discuss Fake News and The Real Politics of Technology

Tech On Politics by Animal Ventures

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